“The ball didn’t travel and it slowed the game down. They passed it slowly and we couldn’t get into our mode.

“I have watched the game again. I was quite critical of our boys in the way we handled or played it (in the post-match press conference) but looking at it again, we had a number of chances after going 1-0 up and we could have been two or three up.

“Had we taken those opportunities, we would have won it quite easily but at 1-0 it keeps them in the game.

“Tom (Eaves) didn’t enjoy playing on that surface, it didn’t suit him or Josh (Parker), but we knew we just had to get

through it.”

Some of the younger players were nervous before the Slough game, said manager Steve Lovell Picture: Ady Kerry

Lovell did acknowledge the quality of the opposition on the day, adding: “Slough were excellent and did their town proud but that is what you expect. They had nothing to lose.

“We expected a tough game and that’s what we got.”

Lovell feels the experience of the FA Cup exposure and fear of a cup shock for some of his younger players will serve them well.

He said: “Talking to some of the younger boys, like Elliott List and DJ (Darren Oldaker), I think they were quite nervous.

“They are young boys and it was the biggest game they have had in their short careers so far and you don’t realise it.

“You chuck them out there and say ‘go on, go out and play’ and you don’t realise how they are feeling.

“It is great they have come through that and they have experienced it and they will learn from it.”